US601234A - Edwin f - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) J

SHOE

Patented- Mar.- 29, 1898.

mi norms PETERS co Pncnmumu, WASHINGTON, 0.1:.

UNITED STATES I EDWIN F. BLOSSOM, or LYNN, MASSA for the insertion of the foot itis provided with .top downwardly and backwardly to a point OI-IUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOOD- YEAR SHOE MAOHINERY COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 601,234, dated March 29, 1898.

Application filed June 30, 1896. Serial No. 597,588. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it'known that I, EDWIN F. BLOSSOM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lynn, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massach usetts,have invented anew and useful Improvement in Shoes, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

My invention relates to shoes,and more particularly to shoes of the lace variety in which the foot-opening is closed and the Shoe secured to the foot by suitable lacing devices.

The object of my invention is to produce a shoe of this type in which the foot-opening shall be of such shape as to facilitate the insertion of the foot into the shoe and also to improve the lacing devices of such shoe,whereby the instep and ankle portionsof the upper may be independently adjusted.

,To this end my invention consists of a shoe in which the foot-opening comprises substantially horizontal and vertical sections,'and, further, a shoe in which the lacing devices comprise two or more substantially independently-adj ustable groups or sections, whereby the shoe may be easily put on and taken off and may be more perfectly adjusted to the ankle and instep.

My invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows the shoe closed, and Fig. 2 shows the same shoe open.

Similar letters and figures of reference refer to similar parts throughout both views.

The shoe comprises the vamp 1 and the quarters 2 and 3.

For the purpose of opening the shoe-upper the foot-opening A, formed by the meeting edges of the quarters 2-and 3 and preferably upon the inner side of the shoe, whereby it maybe easily reached to operate the fastening devices when the shoe is on the foot by the opposite leg.

For facilitating the putting on and taking off of the shoe the foot-opening may be of the contour Shown.

As shown, the opening formed by the meet-' ing edges of the quarters extends from the in the upper intermediate the top and the sole. From this point the foot-opening extends forward and downward to the edge of the vamp. As shown, the opening may curve at the angle 6 and also be downwardly curved at the point where it meets the vamp, such curves adding to the grace and beauty of the shoe. By forming the foot-opening as shown, with the substantially horizontal and vertical portions, the quarters are'capable of being spread open to a great extent, and thus permit the easy insertion of the foot into the shoe. 7

As shown in Fig. 2 and by dotted line min Fig. 1, the shoe is made up without the tongue usually employed in lace-shoes, and instead thereof one of the quarters (in the shoe shown the rear quarter) is provided with an extension of substantially the shape shown, which projects beneath the opening formed by the meeting edges of the quarters and prevents the admission of dust'and dirt into the Shoe, at the same time forming a protection to the foot from pressure of the devices used in closing the foot-opening. The edge of the extension is shaped as shown, with the reentrant curve, in order to prevent its buckling and ruffling up when the ankle is bent in walking.

The foot-opening, as shown, is closed by means which insures the independent adjustment of the upper or quarters to the instep and ankle. The preferred form of closing and fastening is shown in the drawings and comprises a lacing Z and suitable lacing hooks or studs 01, around which the lacing is passed in the usual manner.

At some point intermediate the bottom and top of the foot-opening, preferably at the base of the vertical portion thereof, there is secured to the shoe upper some convenient form of clamping device to clamp the lace and to prevent the strain exerted by said lace upon the upper above said clamping device from being transmitted to thelupper below said clamping device, and thus, as before set forth, there is produced the substantially independent adjustment which is desirable in lace-shoes. The clamping device may be of '100 any preferred form or arrangement, that shown being well adapted for the purpose, and comprising the lace-fasteners B B, formed of wire, which are placed one upon each edge of the quarters adjacent to the foot-opening in such manner that the intermediate portions of the lace may be passed into and be firmly clamped by the same and thence continued upon the hooks or studs to the top of the shoe, where they are secured. I I may use similar clamping devices B B at the bottom of the foot-openin g, as shown, in order to prex'ent the lace from becoming detached from the shoe, and also similar clamping devices B B at the top for securing the free ends of the lace without tying the same.

By making the foot-opening as shown I produce a shoe which can be readily and quickly put on and taken off, and by my improved lacing device the upper of the shoe can be adjusted across the instep independently of the adjustment around the ankle, which is a feature greatly to be desired in lace-shoes.

Having fully described the invention and its mode of operation, what I claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A shoe provided with a foot-opening extending downwardly substantially vertically at the side of the shoe to a point intermediate the top and sole, and thence substantially horizontally to the edge of the vamp, a lacing closing the opening, and means for the independent adjustment of the portions of said lacing closing the vertical and horizontal portions of said foot-opening, substantially as described.

2. A shoe provided with a foot-opening extending downwardly substantially vertically at the side of the shoe to a point intermediate the top and sole, and thence substantially horizontally to the edge of the vamp, a 0011- tinuous lacing closing the opening, a series of hooks or studs along the footopening through which the lacing is freely movable, and lace-clamps interposed between the hooks or studs to fixedly hold the lace at an intermediate point, arranged to permit an independent adjustment of the lacing at the instep and ankle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, this 23d day of June, 1896.

EDWIN F. BLOSSOM.

\Vitnesses:

BENJAMIN PHILLIPS, A. E. WHYTE.

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